WASHINGTON -- David Schwimmer, former star of the 1990s television sitcom "Friends," has just finished directing a film on the sobering topic of Internet predators.

The new movie "Trust," set to premiere in theaters across the nation on Friday, is no Christian film or after-school special. It's R-rated and with good reason.

The "F-bomb" gets dropped more than a couple dozen times. And there are other swear words and sexual references sprinkled throughout, along with a couple of seconds of nudity and one scantily-clad 14-year-old girl.

Schwimmer defended the content, saying it all needed to be there to tell his ultra-realistic tale of a teen girl groomed, lured, and raped by an Internet predator.

"I heard a father speak about his experience when his 14-year-old daughter had been brutally raped, and how it really threatened to shatter the entire family," Schwimmer told CBN News.

"This age group of 13 to 16 is really the target age group for Internet predators," he explained. "It's an age when young girls and boys are vulnerable. They're experimenting."

Schwimmer admitted he isn't happy with the R-rating slapped on his film.

"I don't feel it needs to be R-rated, and I take issue with the rating system in this case," he said.

Instead, Schwimmer said he hopes parents will ignore the rating and use the film as a teaching tool.

"I think the best thing is to talk about this stuff together with your kids," he said. "So that's what I hope the film does."

Although "Trust" features A-level acting, writing and shooting, the content may be overwhelming for children who haven't already been exposed to the R-rated realities of the world.

Schwimmer, who's hoping to find someone to underwrite the film, indicated he may take out some the harsh language in order to get out what he feels is a very important message.

"We'll re-do some of the profanity. We'll take it out - but to get a copy of this in every school in the country," he said. "Maybe unite with the PTA or other great organizations and get this into schools so that parents and kids and teachers can all be talking about this.

Paul Strand

CBN News Washington Sr. Correspondent

As senior correspondent in CBN's Washington, D.C., bureau, Paul Strand has covered a variety of political and social issues, with an emphasis on defense, justice, and Congress. Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulStrandCBN and "like" him at Facebook.com/PaulStrandCBN.